Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 24, 2026
Effective date: May 24, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Aether Energy Alliance, LLC ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and protects information when you use the AEA-Hive mobile application (the "App"). This policy applies to the App on both iOS and Android.

If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the App.

1. Who we are

For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at the email above.

2. Information we collect

We collect only the information necessary to operate the App and authenticate your access.

a. Information you provide directly

• Email address — used as your account identifier and for account-related communications (e.g., password resets).
• Password — required to authenticate your account. Passwords are never stored in plain text. They are hashed on our server using a salted one-way cryptographic hash function before storage. We cannot recover or view your password.

b. Information generated by your use of the App

• Node and tag memberships — the list of nodes and/or tags your account is associated with within the App. This information is used solely to control what data and functionality your account can access.

We do not collect:

• Device identifiers, advertising IDs, or location data
• Usage analytics, crash analytics, or telemetry
• Contacts, photos, microphone input, camera input, or files outside the App
• Payment or financial information
• Biometric data

3. How we use your information

We use the information described above only for the following purposes:

• To create and maintain your account
• To authenticate you when you sign in
• To determine which nodes, tags, and resources you are authorized to view or interact with
• To respond to your support requests
• To comply with legal obligations

We do not use your information for advertising, marketing profiling, or automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

4. Legal basis for processing (EEA, UK, and Switzerland users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we process your personal data on the following legal bases under the GDPR (and UK GDPR):

• Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) — processing your account credentials and node/tag memberships is necessary to provide the App.
• Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) — securing accounts and preventing unauthorized access.
• Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)) — where we must retain or disclose information by law.

5. Third-party sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their own purposes.

We do not use third-party advertising networks, analytics SDKs, or marketing tools in the App.

We may disclose information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers — our backend is operated and hosted by Aether Energy Alliance, LLC on infrastructure we control. We do not use third-party cloud hosting providers for App data.
• Legal requirements — if required to do so by law, court order, or valid governmental request.
• Business transfers — if we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case affected users will be notified.

6. Data storage and security

Account data, including hashed passwords and node/tag membership records, is stored on servers located in the United States.

We use industry-standard safeguards including:

• TLS encryption for data in transit between the App and our servers
• Salted, one-way cryptographic hashing for passwords
• Access controls limiting employee access to account data on a need-to-know basis

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we take reasonable measures to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the App. When you request deletion of your account, we will delete your email and node/tag memberships, and the corresponding password hash, from our active systems within 30 days, except where we are required to retain certain records to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our agreements.

8. Your rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access — request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction — request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion — request that we delete your information
• Restriction or objection — request that we restrict or stop processing your information
• Portability — request a machine-readable copy of your information
• Withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at the email in Section 1. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law (typically 30 days under GDPR; 45 days under CCPA).

California residents (CCPA/CPRA): You have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion, and to opt out of "sale" or "sharing" of personal information. We do not sell or share personal information as those terms are defined under California law.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. In the EEA, this is your local data protection authority; in the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

9. International data transfers

If you access the App from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses to protect international transfers.

10. Children's privacy

The App is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in jurisdictions where that is the applicable threshold), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top. Material changes will be communicated through the App or via the email address associated with your account. Continued use of the App after the effective date of an updated policy constitutes acceptance of the changes.

12. Contact us

For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this policy or your personal information, contact: